‘A Day Just for Women’: Medical Center event’s speaker focuses on influential book

by Alyssa Harvey, The Daily News, originally published on 10/1/2010

As motivational speaker and author Donna Tyson prepared to talk to the audience at The Medical Center’s “A Day Just for Women” conference Thursday, she urged attendants to “sit up straight, smile and nod” their heads from time to time – at least to make her think they were listening.

The audience laughed, but it wasn’t long before many were wiping away tears as Tyson talked about self-esteem with the help of her children’s book, “The Red Bow.”

“Most children’s books have beautiful messages on life if we just take time to read them,” she said.

About 405 women listened to Tyson and Dr. Kerri Remmel, neurologist and Stroke Center director for the University of Louisville Hospital, talk about issues related to women’s health. Attendees also took advantage of booth exhibits, free health screenings and health information at the 13th annual conference.

“It went really well. The speakers did such a good job,” said community wellness director Linda Rush. “We have women of all ages, professionals from the job force, stay-at-home moms and retired women.”

The conference focuses not only on physical health, but emotional health as well, Rush said.

“We want to make a difference in the quality of life people will have in the future,” she said. “The conference allows women to take time away to focus on laughing and learning things they can do to improve their emotional health.”

Referencing “The Red Bow,” Tyson told of a young girl who doesn’t feel good about herself and visits her grandmother, who gives her a red bow and tells her how pretty she looks to help boost her confidence. As the child walks home, she notices people are noticing her more, and she believes the bow is magic. When she gets home, she receives a call from her grandmother telling her that she dropped her bow right outside her house.

“It was the way she carried herself. She had walked as if she was the most beautiful girl in the world,” Tyson said. “Hold your head high and greet the world with a smile. One of the saddest things I’ve seen in this country is when I see so many women who have lost their joy. It’s your responsibility to remember you are special.”

Tyson told the women to realize that each of them is unique and has purpose, to surround themselves with positive energy, to decide to make a difference, to believe in their dreams, to help others and to walk with their heads held high and greet the world with a smile.

“You were given beautiful gifts so you could make a difference in this world,” she said.

At the same time, she cautioned them to remember that happiness is not connected to material things. She spoke of a time when she left her hectic world behind to move into a small, one-room condo on a beach.

“I realized I didn’t have to be in control. I was never happier in my life because I had everything I needed. I had filled my life with material things,” she said. “I had lost that sense of what life was. I had to go back to the basics. Sometimes getting your energy back means getting out of your own way.”

Remmel talked about strokes in women. Men tend to have typical symptoms – including sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion; trouble speaking or understanding; difficulty seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; or sudden, severe headaches with no known cause. Women might experience those as well as other kinds symptoms, such as face and limb pain at the onset, odd sensations that might feel like water under the skin, lowered level of consciousness and confusion.

“We see this more in women than in men,” she said. “Forty percent of women don’t know the symptoms of a stroke.”

Women take longer to get to a hospital for help and are less likely to have evidence-based care, Remmel said.

“I think we’re the caregivers, and we put up with so much and ignore our own symptoms. We’ve heard women say, ‘I thought it would get better. I had so much to do. It got better the last six times it happened,’ ” she said. “We’ve got to get aggressive and take care of ourselves.”

Angela Sledge of Rockfield and Laura Williams of Bowling Green said they have attended all the conferences except the first two. They said this year’s event was great, and that they learned information that surprised and motivated them.

“I was shocked at (the stroke information),” Sledge said. “The motivational speaker was excellent.”

Williams said the conference speakers are always excellent.

“It’s a great day to be a woman,” she said. “We enjoy it.”

Copyright 2010 News Publishing LLC (Bowling Green, KY)

‘A Day Just for Women’ set to return on Sept. 30

by Alyssa Harvey, The Daily News, originally published on 9/12/2010

Anna Parson and nine other women from the local chapter of the AARP have made sure they are seated together at The Medical Center’s “A Day Just for Women” conference every year for at least the past five years.

“We get a table every year. We enjoy the speakers and just getting together,” Parson said. “The food and booths are really good. You get different free screenings. It’s a wonderful day out.”

Organizers are planning another “wonderful day out” with the 13th annual conference, set from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Sloan Convention Center. Tickets are $50 a person or $450 for a table for 10. The cost includes a continental breakfast and lunch, gifts and a chance to win door prizes. Preregistration is required by Friday.

“We’ll have 40 booth exhibits, free health screenings and a lot of health information. We have products from jewelry to makeup,” said community wellness director Linda Rush. “This is an opportunity for women of all ages to be able to get together and network, enjoy each other’s company and learn about our health. We need to take ownership for our own health.”

This year’s speakers are scheduled to be motivational speaker and author Donna Tyson and Dr. Kerri Remmel, neurologist and Stroke Center director for the University of Louisville Hospital. Remmel will talk about stroke prevention, awareness and treatment, while Tyson will discuss dealing with change and self-esteem.

“I think it will be a day of great empowerment,” Tyson said. “Women will be able to get a bigger perspective and reclaim their joy.”

A motivational speaker for 24 years, Tyson spoke at “A Day Just for Women” a few years ago.

“I’m delighted to get to come back,” she said.

Tyson said dealing with change is a popular topic right now in every industry.

“People have change they didn’t expect and didn’t want,” she said. “I’m going to talk about how to stay centered, how to communicate to other people, how to balance home life and health and not lose their joy.”

In the second session, Tyson will talk about self-esteem, using her book, “The Red Bow,” as a reference. The children’s book tells the story of a young girl who doesn’t feel good about herself and wishes her life to be different. While visiting her grandmother, she receives what she believes to be a magical gift. Tyson will bring copies of the book to autograph and sell. They are also available at her website, www.drtyson.com.

“I feel so blessed to be able to have that story. I feel that any age can relate to it,” she said. “No matter what you’ve gone through in the past or what you’re going through, greet the world with a smile and have a red bow day.”

Rush encourages women to take advantage of the conference.

“It has grown because of word of mouth, the women who have come and enjoyed the day, support from the community and the quality of speakers we’ve been able to bring in,” she said. “Get a little pampering, enjoy the information and just enjoy being together.”

— For more information, call 745-1010 or 800-624-2318 or e-mail info@mcbg.org.

Copyright 2010 News Publishing LLC (Bowling Green, KY)

Medical field is a calling for Ross

by Alyssa Harvey, The Daily News, originally published on 9/11/2010

Brookie Ross’ love of all things medical began with family.

“I’ve always been interested in the medical field,” she said. “My aunt is a nurse. I’ve always admired what she does for a living.”

It wasn’t a surprise that when she began working as a nurse’s assistant at The Medical Center at Scottsville, she decided to do in-house training to become a certified nurse’s assistant.

“(Commonwealth Health Corp., the parent company of The Medical Centers at Scottsville, Bowling Green and Franklin) has an in-house certification. I did on-the-job training,” she said. “You have to job shadow for a certain number of days before you can touch a patient and take the state exam to be certified.”

That was about 12 years ago. Ross is now an emergency room technician and registration clerk at The Medical Center at Scottsville. Ross said her job requires her to be a jack of all trades. Some of her duties include stocking and ordering, completing patient-related paperwork and assisting the doctors in things such as suturing and flu swabs.

“I’m their gofer,” she said, laughing. “I do whatever I can do to assist the nurses and make their jobs easier.”

Her dream is to become a nurse. Ross has been a part-time nursing student at Western Kentucky University for about four semesters while being a full-time mother and working full time.

“I’m doing general education requirements now,” she said. “I hope to get into the nursing program in the spring semester.”

Being a nontraditional student has helped her focus on goals.

“It’s different. I enjoy it,” she said. “I see where I need to be now.”

Ross said most jobs she has held have been in the medical field. She has worked in a doctor’s office as a registration person and medical assistant. At CHC alone, she has had various positions. She was a nurse’s assistant at The Medical Center at Scottsville for about two years. Next, she worked in pediatrics and dialysis at The Medical Center at Bowling Green for about a year. She returned to Scottsville to work at Urgent Care, which is now the Scottsville Rural Health Clinic, as a registration clerk for four years. She then moved to her current position, where she has been for six years.

“I have been to all the CHC hospitals except (The Medical Center at) Franklin,” she said.

Ross said there are many things she likes about her job, including the encouragement she gets from her co-workers and the fact that they are like a family and work as a team.

“It’s a wonderful place to work. The benefits are great. My co-workers are great,” she said. “I can be close to home and be near my children if they need me. It’s a fulfilling job. In the ER, you get to see all kinds of interesting things.”

Copyright 2010 News Publishing LLC (Bowling Green, KY)

Seasonal flu shot this year packs punch: Vaccine designed to fight off three viruses

by Alyssa Harvey, The Daily News, originally published on 9/10/2010

Local medical officials are preparing for the upcoming flu season with a new universal vaccine designed to protect against three different common flu strains.

“Unlike last year, when we had to get two shots to make sure everyone was covered for the regular flu and H1N1, this year’s vaccine has combined all of them,” said Melinda Joyce, corporate director of pharmacy at The Medical Center.

While past flu vaccines have been strongly suggested to certain populations – including young children, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses and the elderly, who are at high risk for complications of the flu – this year’s vaccine is being recommended for anyone ages 6 months and older.

“Children who have never received the vaccine need two doses at least 28 days apart,” said Teresa Casey, nurse program manager for the Communicable Disease Team at the Barren River District Health Department. “Infants younger than 6 months old can’t get the shot, so it’s important that people with children get vaccinated so they won’t pass anything to them.”

People ages 65 and older might be able to get a higher dose of vaccination, said Jennifer Hunt, director of infection prevention at Greenview Regional Hospital.

“They are among a higher risk group of people who die from complications of the flu. A study shows they benefit from it because it gives four times immunity,” she said. “The other (vaccine) doesn’t give as much coverage. They should talk to their health care providers.”

A few people need to be careful about getting the flu vaccine, including those who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs, anyone who developed Guillain-Barre syndrome from a previous flu vaccine and children under 6 months old, Joyce said. She has also been asked if a person should receive the vaccine if they have a fever.

“Most of the time if someone is running a fever and have other moderate to severe symptoms, they need to wait until the fever is gone,” she said. “Sometimes the fever itself can cause the flu vaccine to not be as effective.”

People can’t catch the flu from the injectable vaccine, Hunt said.

“Keep in mind that once you get the vaccine, it takes two weeks to build up immunity,” she said. “If you come in contact with someone with flu, you can still catch it.”

Medical officials have received calls about vaccine availability and don’t anticipate a shortage this year.

“We are starting to get vaccine in our eight local health departments,” Casey said. “We’re planning for early October flu clinics.”

Some places are already giving the vaccines, but Hunt cautions people to consider the timing of flu season, which is from November through May.

“You want the vaccine to protect you during the flu season,” she said. “If you get it too early, it may not protect you throughout the entire six months.”

Besides getting the vaccines, CDC and the local officials are urging people to protect themselves and others from the flu by stopping germs and using antiviral drugs.

“Influenza is a virus and not bacteria,” Hunt said. “Don’t ask for an antibiotic because they only work on bacteria.”

Covering coughs and sneezes and proper handwashing with soap and water or an alcohol cleanser is a must, Hunt said.

“Wash your hands for 15 to 20 seconds with soap and water, and try to remember not to touch the faucets after your hands are clean,” she said. “Turn them off with a paper towel or your elbow. You may come in contact with the same organisms you just flushed down the sink.”

Rest is also important, Casey said.

“If you’re sick, stay home,” she said. “If your kids are sick, keep them at home.”

— For more information about flu vaccines, contact your health care provider or pharmacy or visit the CDC website at www.flu.gov.

Symptoms of flu

According to the Centers for Disease Control, flu is a serious contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and death. Flu-like symptoms include:

•fever

•cough

•sore throat

•runny or stuffy nose

•body aches

•headache

•chills

•fatigue

•Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu and have respiratory symptoms without the fever.

Copyright 2010 News Publishing LLC (Bowling Green, KY)

Medical Center’s 10K set Oct. 23: Children’s Classic also returns

by Natalie Jordan, The Daily News, originally published on 8/28/2010

Plans for one of Bowling Green’s autumn traditions were announced Friday during a news conference at The Medical Center.

The 31st running of The Medical Center 10K Classic is set for Oct. 23, offering a 1.5-mile fun walk, a 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) run/walk, a 10K (6.2-mile) wheelchair race and a 10K run. Back for the second year is the Children’s Classic race for kindergartners through sixth-graders, which has new sponsorship from Graves-Gilbert Clinic’s Pediatrics Department.

Six pediatricians at the clinic – Debbie Sowell, Pippa Pinckley-Stewart, Patricia Faulkner-Simmons, Mark Lowry, Chris Castelli and Brent Baker – pooled their funds to sponsor the Children’s Classic race, which will start at 10 a.m. at the top of Big Red Way.

“We’re delighted to sponsor the Children’s Classic,” Sowell said. “Obviously, we care for many children in the area and we care for all children in the area, and this is a great opportunity to promote health. ... Childhood obesity is reaching epic proportions, so anytime we can promote any type of healthy activity is a positive for all of us.”

In previous years, a children’s race was held at the Western Kentucky University track, said Joe Tinius, race co-chair. However, construction at WKU’s Houchens-Smith stadium halted that. The children’s race returned last year, and Sowell said the pediatric staff will provide help during this year’s event.

The children’s run will unfold as it did last year, with advance preparation taking place at the children’s schools. Participating kids will keep a training log, which they will bring with them on race day. If the training log is complete, Sowell said, the children will run the last leg of the race down Big Red Way and cross the same finish line as the adult runners.

The 5K run will start at 7:30 a.m. and the 1.5-mile fun walk will start at 7:50 a.m. Participants in the fun walk cannot run, but participants in the 5K run can run or walk. The 10K wheelchair race will start at 8:25 a.m. and the 10K run begins at 8:30 a.m.

Tommy Loving, race co-chair, said the route of the race will be the same as last year, leading participants through downtown.

“It’s a great run,” he said. “We have a scenic downtown area.”

The course follows a stretch of Chestnut Street to East Second Avenue, then up State Street to East 13th Avenue, back down College Street with a loop around Fountain Square to East Seventh Avenue, then from East Eighth Avenue onto Center Street for four blocks. Finally, it turns onto Kentucky Street before concluding near Houchens-Smith Stadium on Big Red Way.

Streets will be closed for the running/walking routes starting at 7:15 a.m. All streets will be open by 10 a.m., he said.

Participants also will have a chance to enter a $10,000 cash giveaway, which is open to all participants who complete their event. Those eligible will be entered for a special drawing at the awards ceremony, with $2,000, $3,000 and $5,000 prizes. The awards ceremony will start at 11 a.m. Oct. 23 at Houchens-Smith Stadium. Participants must be present at the awards ceremony to win.

This year, the Road Runners Club of America state championship awards will be given in various divisions.

“This is an event that is important to the community,” Tinius said. “It is probably the longest road-running event in the state ... an event to be proud of.”

Leading to race day, there will be a Health and Fitness Expo at the Sloan Convention Center sponsored by The Medical Center. From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 22, people may participate in activities and screenings. The Medical Center will provide its services, including pulmonary function testing, blood pressure screening and body fat composition measurement.

In addition to the Health and Fitness Expo, the 10K Southern Foods Pre-Race Pasta Party will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sloan Convention Center. There, participants can pick up their race packets and register for the event. Additional tickets may be purchased at the door, which are $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 6 to 12.

Jenny Golden, event coordinator for the classic, said those who can’t pick up race packets at the pasta party can do so on race day during morning registration at 6 a.m.

Entry fees, which are nonrefundable, are $30 for an individual, $70 for a family if registered by Sept. 24. Between Sept. 25 and Oct. 21, the fees are $35 for an individual, $90 for a family. After Oct. 21, the fees are $40 for an individual, $110 for a family. Online registration will end at midnight Oct. 21.

“The countdown is on,” Golden said. “We’re very excited, and looking forward to race day.”

This will be the 31st year for the Bowling Green road race. Doris Thomas said The Medical Center continues to support the race because it ties into its mission to “care for people and improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.” She said it also ties into promoting healthy lifestyles.

“This is such a great family event,” Thomas said. “Like the tagline says, ‘the race for everyone.’ It is an event for the entire family, with plenty to choose from, whether a walker or runner.”

— For more information or to register online, visit www.themedicalcenter10kclassic.com; to register by phone or for more information, call 796-2141 or toll free at 877-545-1696.

Copyright 2010 News Publishing LLC (Bowling Green, KY)

Retired nurse heads up Stroke Support Group

by Alyssa Harvey, The Daily News, originally published on 8/27/2010

Helen Edmonds has been around the medical field for much of her life.

“My mother was a physician’s assistant for a long time,” she said.

When the time came for her to choose a career, Edmonds decided to become a nurse. She enrolled at Western Kentucky University when the program became available there and graduated with an associate’s degree in its second class.

“I was glad to be a part of it,” she said, smiling.

After 35 years as a registered nurse at The Medical Center, Edmonds retired in 2003. She hasn’t totally left the profession behind, though. She currently facilitates the Stroke Support Group, which meets from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at The Medical Center’s Health and Wellness Center at Greenwood Mall. The group is for stroke survivors, their families and caregivers to talk about their experiences, challenges and needs.

“We’re geared toward being there for support and hope by giving them the information they need to meet the challenges they have because of the stroke,” she said. “We meet here to give advice. We’re here to engage.”

Building the support group hasn’t been easy because the number of participants fluctuates, but Edmonds has no plans to give up trying.

“We might have two this time, three the next time and then drop to zero. We’re trying to keep people interested in coming back,” she said. “To be able to sit in a group and discuss what’s happened in your life - some of the simplest things might help us. You learn so many things that will help someone.”

Edmonds worked as a telephone operator while she was at WKU and started working at The Medical Center once she finished school. She began as a staff nurse on the medical floor and worked her way up to unit director of the urology and surgical units. The last department of the hospital where she worked was in outpatients. In her 36th year at the hospital, she decided to retire.

“My husband had already retired,” she said. “I think you know when it’s time.”

Even though she’s retired, Edmonds keeps her nursing license current. She has done some nursing at the Health and Wellness Center and volunteers at the hospital.

“I enjoy it,” she said. “I don’t think I will totally give (nursing) up.”

One of her favorite things about being a nurse is helping people.

“I like being able to help someone through illness or procedures, and then they go home better than when they came in,” she said. “Sometimes that doesn’t always happen. It makes you feel good when that happens.”

— For more information about the Stroke Support Group, call 745-0942 or 877-800-3824.

Copyright 2010 News Publishing LLC (Bowling Green, KY)

Cyclists Ride Out Loud to fight kidney disease

by Justin Story, The Daily News, originally published on 8/15/2010

A gaggle of cyclists set forth from Chaney’s Dairy Barn early Saturday morning, all pedaling to raise awareness.

The National Kidney Foundation’s fourth annual Ride Out Loud event attracted about 75 bike riders, many of whom spent the morning riding a 44-mile course that took the group into Auburn and wound along state and county roads before ending back at Chaney’s.

Ride Out Loud, through sponsorships and donations, helps raise money to fund efforts to educate people about preventing kidney disease and about the need for organ donation.

“You always want to ride for a very good cause,” said Joy Graham of Bowling Green, a fitness instructor who rode the 44-mile course Saturday.

The Kentucky Region of the National Kidney Foundation and The Medical Center, the presenting sponsor for the event, have collaborated on each year’s ride, with participation and contributions growing each year.

Abby Johnston, regional special events manager for the NKF, said about $4,000 was raised through Ride Out Loud last year.

“We get a lot of new families (participating) each year,” Johnston said.

The NKF is a voluntary health agency devoted to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, increasing the availability of organs for transplantation and improving the health of people and families affected by these diseases.

Cyclists who registered for Saturday’s ride could choose from routes covering eight, 20, 44 or 67 miles. Two people had signed to ride the 67-mile course, but appeared to change their mind, as their names were crossed out and added to the 44-mile route.

The routes were designed with all levels of riders in mind, although many of them opted to ride the second-longest route.

“Most of those people who ride are serious riders,” said Joe Causey, chaplain for The Medical Center and volunteer coordinator for Ride Out Loud.

Small signs with information about kidney disease were placed along each route.

According to the NKF, 26 million Americans have kidney disease and 20 million more are at risk, and Kentucky ranks near the top among states in numbers of people suffering from or at risk of getting kidney disease.

More than 97,000 people nationwide, and more than 750 people in Kentucky, are on a waiting list for organ transplants.

The Bowling Green League of Bicyclists plays a large role both in raising awareness of the event and participating, and several of its members were preparing their bikes Saturday morning in Chaney’s parking lot.

“For some people it’s going to be the longest ride they’ve been on, they’ve trained for it, and for others, they’re here to support a good cause,” said league member Stephen Ogden of Bowling Green.

Temperatures early Saturday were in the mid-70s and climbing, and several cyclists packed water and Gatorade with them.

Volunteers also provided chilled grapes, bananas and trail mix to cyclists.

Ogden, who has participated in the Ride Out Loud in previous years, chose to ride the 44-mile course.

“It is hot, but it could be worse,” Ogden said. “It’s when you stop riding that the weather matters. When you’re riding it feels like a 21-mile-an-hour breeze is hitting you at all times.”

Copyright 2010 News Publishing LLC (Bowling Green, KY)